In The Know w/ Finke & Hill

Let’s play a little hypothetical. If someone gave you the option to have a million dollars in cash or to teach you how to make a million dollars, but it will take some time, what would you do? My gut says that the majority of us would take the cash and call it a day. 

That is natural. This is how I have felt my whole life. 

To be able to get that amount of money with no work at all? Sounds great. I mean how great it would be to win the lottery or hit the jackpot on the slot machine at the casino? We want the money instantly! We want it easily.

I never really understood why this was the wrong mindset to have until I really started studying successful people and reading different books. What I have gathered from this mindset is that receiving the handout is a one-time transaction. Sure, you may be happy for a short period of time, but there is no long term satisfaction in it. If you LEARN how to make the money, not only do you now know how to make it multiple times, but you get the reward of grinding for it. PLUS, you can then help others do the same thing along the way.

To go off of that, it is about the journey of getting to where you are trying to go. From a successful athlete like Stephen Curry to a successful businessman like Mark Cuban, they will be the first ones to tell you that the journey of getting to where you are trying to go is what makes it all worth it. Everyone experiences setbacks and obstacles when trying to reach their goals. It is not a walk in the park. However, if you stick through the tough times and truly grind it out, that feeling of getting there is all worth it.

In today’s world, with the power of social media and technology, it is so easy for us to fall in love with the idea of wanting success overnight. We see someone on Instagram and/or TikTok and think how in the world did they get famous? Why can’t that be me? 

We all want it easy, but unfortunately that’s not how life is. 

In the book, Chop Wood Carry Water, Joshua Medcalf writes, “In the West, you want everything instantly, but here you must learn to fall in love with the process of becoming great. Now go chop wood, and carry water.”

What he is meaning by this quote is that you have to work for what you want. Chopping wood and carrying water symbolizes working hard and striving for your goals. Making those little accomplishments day in and day out. Even when the rest of the world is doubting you, you stay with it because you know that what you are doing is setting yourself up for success. 

I can relate this to my process of trying to become the best possible basketball player I can be. I continue to have big goals and aspirations.

Starting from when I was young, my long-term goal was to be a professional basketball player. That didn’t happen overnight though. I had to constantly work and make sacrifices to get to this point in my career. Now that I am here, I have different goals for myself. I want to make it to the best leagues in Europe and make a name for myself. I know that isn’t going to happen by just showing up for the games and not putting any work in. I have to do all the little things from getting the right amount of sleep, to eating correctly, lifting weights, stretching, improving my overall game, and so much more. There is so much that goes into it, but I know that for me to reach these goals, I have to be disciplined and stay on track. It is the only way.

So what does that look like for you? What are your goals?

Some of you might be telling yourself “I am too old” or “I’m not good at anything”.

Bullshit.

We were all put on this earth for a purpose. It is never too late. 

There is a man by the name of Colonel Sanders that didn’t start his business until he was 65 years old. You may have heard of the fast-food chain, as it is one of the most well-known restaurants in the entire world called KFC. 

I’ll say it again. It is NEVER too late.

So, how are you going to be different and get out of your comfort zone? This is something that I keep trying to challenge myself with every day on how I can improve not only with basketball, but with other aspects of my life. As I am going along this journey, I want to help you reach that as well. 

Just think about how great the feeling will be when you finally hit that goal. Especially after going through all of the hard work and trials of getting there. That is the feeling I am longing for day in and day out. I know it will happen, it is just a question of when.

Develop the confidence in yourself and go get what you want. No one in this world has the right to tell you what you can and can’t do. 

It is your life for a reason. 

Go get it!

God Bless.

Michael

P.S.

As always, leave any questions or comments that you might have for Malc and me. We appreciate all the support!